Mounting tires proper way

Any know how or pointers to correct tools to use? And procedures? In general, how do you mount and remove tires so the rim does not get scratched or indented?
I am guilty of doing it myself so I want to learn correct procedure.

Videos on youtube clearly showing people sticking metal screwdrivers and so on marking and scratching rims.

I use a pair of Motion Pro rim protectors and two 11 inch Motion Pro tire irons. Ed

Watch this video, starting at about 12:48.

It depends on the tire-rim combo.
Sometimes the tire is too tight to put on with tire levers.
I ruined a set of Michelins by damaging the beads with levers.
The next set I had CycleGear use their tire machine and they still had trouble.
He had to put the tires in a hot summer car to soften them up.
Granted it's a tubeless tire on a tube rim.
(Michelin Commander II on KZ440 D2 stock aluminum rims)

Kaylinator Now you post this. :silly: I needed this about 5 weeks ago.

Seriously thought thank you. I never knew the bead protector when under the band. Great post.

Mikaw wrote: Kaylinator Now you post this. :silly: I needed this about 5 weeks ago.

Seriously thought thank you. I never knew the bead protector when under the band. Great post.

I sort of just assume that if you're on this forum, you'd follow him on youtube as well. That man is a genius.

650ed wrote: I use a pair of Motion Pro rim protectors and two 11 inch Motion Pro tire irons. Ed

Thank you for the tip!! I didn't know rim protectors were a thing but now I need some.

The KZ440B project bike has powder-coated rims and I was worried about installing the tires. The original plan was to coat the tire irons in Plasti-dip but I wasn't sure how well that would hold up.

I think I've seen a people use pieces of milk jugs in lieu of proper rim protectors - I've never tried, my wheels aren't painted.

Aside from lots of lubricant (soapy water works well in my experience) I highly recommend getting the tires as hot as you can (within reason). I leave them in the sun for about an hour if the weather allows.

By Nerdy: Thank you for the tip!! I didn't know rim protectors were a thing but now I need some.

The KZ440B project bike has powder-coated rims and I was worried about installing the tires. The original plan was to coat the tire irons in Plasti-dip but I wasn't sure how well that would hold up.

I doubt Plasti-dip will hold up at all. The first time doing the job I used milk jug plastic >> large pieces folded in half. Then I got some rim protectors which make the job much easier. see pic. The milk jug plastic tends to move around. no big deal, but kind of a pain.

Practice.

Theres more involved than just slapping on a new tire. First, throw the tube protectors in the trash. You should run 2-3 layers of quality duct tape in its place. Use baby powder on the tube and inside the tire so the tube doesnt get bunched up. I use the 3 lever method. Been doing MX tires for 30 years, street tires are easy as F. Front tires barely need spoons.. Line up the yellow dots with the valve stem.

If you have aluminum wheels, do not use soap.
The soap will cause the aluminum to corrode and pit.

The first place that mounted my tires used this.
If you're having issues you may be able to get a small amount from a motorcycle shop as 11lbs will last a couple of lifetimes.

www.wurthusa.com/Chemical-Product/Tire-R...1-Lb-Pail/p/08901221

Kidkawie wrote: Practice.

Theres more involved than just slapping on a new tire. First, throw the tube protectors in the trash. You should run 2-3 layers of quality duct tape in its place. Use baby powder on the tube and inside the tire so the tube doesnt get bunched up. I use the 3 lever method. Been doing MX tires for 30 years, street tires are easy as F. Front tires barely need spoons.. Line up the yellow dots with the valve stem.

I always use the tube protectors (rim locks). Why, one might ask? This is because many years ago on my BSA, which did not have rim locks, the rim slipped a tiny bit some number of times inside the rim until eventually this slippage caused the the rim to clip off the tube's valve stem. This happened when shifting into top gear in heavy traffic. Needless to say I was extremely lucky that the idiot directly behind me didn't hit me when my rear tire immediately went flat causing the back of the bike to swerve radically and violently from side to side. He thought I was doing it on purpose!

I don't know if modern tires on the Kawasaki might slip a little inside the rims. Maybe they won't or maybe they will, but considering the tiny extra time it takes to install the rim locks I'll keep using them. Ed